Police say they are treating a fire at a church in Craigavon this morning as deliberate.
Officers and NIFRS responded to St Saviour's Church of Ireland in the Drumgor West Road area of Craigavon at around 4.20am.
Sergeant Carolan said it is believed that "slates were removed from the roof of the premises with something dropped through and set alight".
“At around 4.20am, police were tasked to a fire at a church in the area. Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service were already in attendance and dealt with the fire. Damage was caused to the inside of the property following the incident, with no one reported inside the premises.
“Enquiries are continuing and at this stage, the fire is being treated as deliberate.
“We would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 222 22/07/20."
Reverend Myrtle Morrison said the fire will not stop them from continuing service for their parishioners.
She said: "When we turned up we realised it probably was vandalism because some tiles had been pulled off the roof. I am just very disappointed that it would happen in Craigavon and especially to a church building that people love and have spent a lot of time to help keep.
"There is slight smoke damage and water damage to the interior. Thankfully the Fire Service responded very quickly and we got it put out very quickly.
"It's still very early days and the police are just beginning their investigation really but unfortunately in the past we have had several fires here and they've been vandalism really.
"People bored and looking for a bit of excitement which is very sad for the congregation who put a lot of effort into keeping their church building nice and keeping it going.
"We were back on July 5 so this will be our fourth Sunday back and people are very very keen to come back and they're very resilient and they'll be here on Sunday morning to worship.
"In some ways this will probably make us more determined to do what we are meant to be doing."
The Upper Bann Ulster Unionist MLA, Doug Beattie MC, condemned those behind the attack.
Mr Beattie said: “It is scarcely credible that anyone would set out to remove roof slates and then attempt to set fire to any place of worship, but that is exactly what has happened in Craigavon this morning.
“There is no excuse whatsoever for this kind of behaviour and regardless of whether the motivation is sectarianism or vandalism, the person or persons responsible, needs to be caught and made amenable for their crime.
“This church is part of the central Craigavon community; my extended family have been married there, been baptised and used the youth club. To see it attacked is a blow to a community that already feels isolated within the borough.
“I urge anyone who was in the vicinity of St Saviour's Church of Ireland on the Drumgor West Road in Craigavon around 04.20 this morning, or who knows anything about this incident, to contact the police immediately.”
